By using a crumpled rag you can get a softly textured, delicately mottled effect, creating a backdrop finish for furniture and artwork. Use this technique to add uniqueness to any room, or to revitalize old furniture.

Here is everything you need to complete your ragging project.

Shopping List:

• 2 different colors latex (acrylic) paint
• Lint Free Rags
• Paint Tray
• Painter’s Tape
• Gloves (disposable)
• Floetrol® or Penetrol®

Directions:

1. Mask off areas you don’t want to finish with low tack painter’s tape, including adjacent walls and ceilings.
2. Be sure your surface is completely prepared and primed before you start sponging.
3. Apply the base coat (first color – can either be the lighter or the darker color). Let it dry overnight.
4. Using an empty can or disposable cup as a measuring device, mix 3 volumes of latex (acrylic) paint to 1 volume of Floetrol*, or 3 volumes alkyd (oil-base) paint to one volume Penetrol.*
5. Pour approximately ½” of paint mixture into your paint tray. Dip the rag completely into the paint, squeeze out excess paint.
6. Open the rag and then crumple it loosely. Wipe excess paint from your gloves.
7. Beginning in an upper corner, press the cloth gently on the wall and into the corner. Repeat this is an area approximately one square yard at a time before moving on.
8. Vary the pattern by re-crumpling the rag and using it several times before re-dipping. For a different effect, try rag rolling by rolling a lint-free rag into a sausage shape. Start at the bottom of the wall and roll the rag upwards between your fingers.

Tips:

• Work on the opposite wall first and let dry. Mask corners. Complete adjacent walls in the same manner.
• You can be creative by:
  - Ragging on more than one color
  - Ragging on the same color of a different sheen than the base coat
  - Or ragging clear latex varnish on a flat latex base coat color.

*These are approximate ratios. Surface conditions, temperature, humidity, direct sunlight and application methods vary widely and may affect performance. Experiment on samples using different ratios.